Passaris defends Ruto fiercely, blames political theatrics for KHRC press conference chaos
By Ascah Mwango, July 6, 2025Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has come out strongly in defence of President William Ruto following the violent disruption of a press conference organised by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
In a statement shared via her X account, Passaris criticised those blaming the President for the attack, calling such accusations irresponsible and inflammatory.
“Enough with the chaos. Peace must prevail. Today, women gathered at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) to issue a press conference calling for peace ahead of Saba Saba. Instead, they were attacked. It is deeply irresponsible and inflammatory for a former Chief Justice @dkmaraga to accuse the President of deploying goons,” Passaris said.
The lawmaker dismissed claims that the government was behind the chaos, saying the President was focused on national duties.
“Let’s be real. President @WilliamsRuto is not idle; he is busy handling national duties. If there were a genuine threat, police would be deployed, not thugs. So the real question is: who benefits from such chaos? Look at the headlines,” she added.
Passaris also questioned the role of the media, accusing it of potentially fueling unrest.
“We must now look beyond politics and ask: what role is the media playing in this season of unrest? Where is the line between reporting the news and manufacturing it?” she posed.
She urged the police to move swiftly in identifying and arresting the attackers.
“Let the police do their job: Review the footage. Identify and arrest the attackers. Investigate who sent them. Recover stolen items. Bring the truth to light. Kenyans demand peaceful Saba Saba. Let those planning disruption know: your days are numbered.”
Passaris was responding to remarks made by former Chief Justice David Maraga, who had accused the President of deploying armed gangs to silence dissent.
“I vehemently condemn the violence against mothers gathered at KHRC to speak up against the use of violence at tomorrow’s Saba Saba commemoration. As I have said before, President Ruto must stop using armed militias against citizens. This is not only a violation of our Constitution, but it will also lead the country into instability and anarchy. Ruto, simply, has to stop this madness!” Maraga said.
KHRC conference
The press conference, held at the KHRC offices on Amboseli Road in Nairobi, was disrupted by armed individuals who stormed the venue, scattered attendees, and brought the event to a chaotic end.
The event had been organised by a group of Kenyan mothers who had planned to raise concerns over arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings targeting protesters ahead of the Saba Saba protests scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025.
The Women’s Collective Kenya confirmed the incident shortly after it happened, calling it a deliberate effort to silence women speaking out against injustice.
“URGENT ALERT: Armed goons have attacked the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission @thekhrc, where a press conference was due to be held this afternoon by Kenyan mothers on the eve of Saba Saba,” the group said in a post on X.
According to KHRC, the press briefing had initially been scheduled to take place at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi but was relocated to the commission’s offices for safety reasons.
“NOTE: The venue has been changed from All Saints’ Cathedral to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), 849 Amboseli Road, Off Gitanga Road,” the earlier notice had read.
Despite this change, the attackers still managed to locate the new venue and violently disrupt the gathering.
In a separate statement, KHRC explained the purpose of the event.
“Ahead of the Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, 2025, Kenyan mothers are demanding an immediate end to the arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings of their children for taking to the streets,” the commission said.